Neely, Hawks fly past Wildcats 9-0

Friday

Mar 29, 2013 at 3:11 PMMar 29, 2013 at 3:16 PM

Oak Ridge senior Matt McDaniel went 3-for-3 against Hardin Valley on Wednesday, but it would be the only hits the Hawks pitching staff would give up. Tennessee commit Will Neely went six innings giving up just two hits while Cole Brill came in during the seventh for the save as Hardin Valley won 9-0 over the Wildcats.

Robert Holder

Oak Ridge senior Matt McDaniel went 3-for-3 against Hardin Valley on Wednesday, but it would be the only hits the Hawks pitching staff would give up. Tennessee commit Will Neely went six innings giving up just two hits while Cole Brill came in during the seventh for the save as Hardin Valley won 9-0 over the Wildcats.

Neely, a sophomore, was near perfect striking out five batters and walking none on 69 pitches.

Neely also helped his cause at the plate bringing in a run in the first inning to make it 2-0 before coming around to score two batters later to make it 4-0 Hawks.

Oak Ridge senior pitcher and Western Kentucky committ Jordan Lane was roughed up. Lane went 1 and 2/3 innings, giving up three hits and five runs — three earned — on 53 pitches. He walked three and struck out one.

Ralph O’Neal finished the game and gave up four earned runs on seven hits, three walks and four strikeouts.

The Wildcats also committed four errors in the field.

Oak Ridge tired to get a late rally going in the seventh as McDaniel led off the inning with a single and Landwalked. But the ‘Cats grounded in to a fielder’s choice and a double play to end the game.

Oak Ridge returns to Hopkins Field today as the Wildcats will face Tates Creek from Lexington, Ky., to start the Kevin Calia Tournament at 8 p.m. The DiamondCats will face Hudson High School from Hudson, Ohio, at 10 a.m. and Sullivan East at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Robert Holder can be contacted at (865) 220-5508.

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